Mumbai: Like lakhs of Mumbaikars, 34-year
old Priti Kumari rode a local train on Tuesday. The only difference
was that she piloted it, becoming the first motorwoman of
Western Railway (WR) to do so.
Kumari, who hails from Bihar, drove the 2:29 pm local
between Churchgate and Borivli and was guided by a chief loco
inspector.
An excited Kumari, who underwent on-field training for
six months, said she felt happy with the achievement. Kumari,
who was one of three to join WR today, began her day by going
to the temple.
Sixty-nine candidates started training for the post in
August 2009, of which three were inducted today.
Kumari is also the first woman in Indian Railways to gain
direct entry to the post. On Central Railway, motorwomen like
Surekha Yadav, the first motorwoman in Asia, worked her way up
from the post of assistant driver.
A diploma-holder in Electronics and a BA (Honours) in
History, Kumari is a native of Banka district in Bihar. She
joined WR`s Electrical Training College, Mahalaxmi in August
last year and stays in suburban Dahisar with her husband who
is with the Indian Air Force.
PTI
